Council Decision of 19 December 2011 concerning the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities (2012 to 2013) (2012/93/Euratom) (repealed)

ANNEX II FUNDING SCHEMES

Subject to the rules for participation established for the implementation of the Framework Programme, the Community will support research and technological development activities, including demonstration activities in the specific programmes, through a range of funding schemes. These schemes will be used, either alone or in combination, to fund different categories of actions implemented throughout the Framework Programme.

1. FUNDING SCHEMES IN FUSION ENERGY

In the field of fusion energy research, the particular nature of such activities requires specific arrangements. Financial support will be given to activities carried out on the basis of procedures set out in:

1.1.

Contracts of Association, between the Commission and Member States or fully associated third countries or between the Commission and entities within Member States or fully associated third countries for the execution of part of the Community fusion energy research programme in accordance to Article 10 of the Treaty;

1.2.

the European Fusion Development Agreement, a multilateral agreement concluded between the Commission and organisations in, or acting for, Member States and associated third countries to provide, among other things, a framework for further research on fusion technology in associated organisations and in industry, the use of JET facilities and the European contribution to international cooperation;

1.3.

the European Joint Undertaking for ITER, based on Articles 45 to 51 of the Treaty;

1.4.

international agreements between the Community and third countries covering activities in the field of fusion energy research and development, in particular the ITER and the Broader Approach Agreements;

1.5.

any other multilateral agreement concluded between the Community and associated organisations, in particular the Agreement on Staff Mobility;

1.6.

cost-sharing actions to promote and contribute to fusion energy research with bodies in Member States or third countries associated with the Framework Programme where there is no Contract of Association.

In addition to the above activities, actions to promote and develop human resources, fellowships, integrated infrastructure initiatives and specific support actions may be undertaken in particular to coordinate fusion energy research, to undertake studies in support of these activities and to support publications, information exchange, and training in order to promote technology transfer.

2. FUNDING SCHEMES IN OTHER FIELDS

The activities in fields other than fusion energy under the Framework Programme will be funded through a range of funding schemes. These schemes will be used, either alone or in combination, to fund different categories of actions implemented throughout the Framework Programme.

The decisions on specific programmes, work programmes and calls for proposals will mention, as and when appropriate:

• the type(s) of scheme(s) used to fund different categories of actions,

• the categories of participants (such as research organisations, universities, industry, public authorities) that can benefit from them,

• the types of activities (research, development, demonstration, training, dissemination, transfer of knowledge and other related activities) that can be funded.

Where different funding schemes can be used, the work programmes may specify the funding scheme to be used for the topic on which proposals are invited.

The funding schemes are as follows:

(a)

To support actions that are primarily implemented on the basis of calls for proposals:

1.

Collaborative projects

Support for research projects carried out by consortia with participants from different countries, aiming to develop new knowledge, new technology, products or common resources for research. The size, scope and internal organisation of projects can vary from field to field and from topic to topic. Projects can range from small or medium-scale focused research actions to larger integrating projects that mobilise a significant volume of resources for achieving a defined objective. Support for the training and career development of researchers will be included in project work plans.

2.

Networks of excellence

Support for joint research programmes implemented by a number of research organisations integrating their activities in a given field and carried out by research teams under longer-term cooperation. The implementation of these joint research programmes will require the formal commitment of such organisations. Support for training and career development of researchers will be included in project work plans.

3.

Coordination and support actions

Support for activities to coordinate coordinating or supporting research (networking, exchanges, transnational access to research infrastructures, studies, conferences, contributions during construction of new infrastructure, etc.) or to promote the development of human resources (e.g. networking and setting up training schemes). These actions may also be implemented by means other than calls for proposals.

(b)

To support actions implemented on the basis of decisions by the Council, following a proposal from the Commission, the Community will provide financial support to multi-financed large-scale initiatives as follows:

• a financial contribution to the implementation of joint undertakings on the basis of the procedures and provisions set out in Articles 45 to 51 of the Treaty,

• a financial contribution to the development of new infrastructures of European interest.

The Community will implement the funding schemes in compliance with the provisions of Council Regulation (Euratom) No 139/2012 of 19 December 2011 laying down the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in indirect actions under the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community and for the dissemination of research results (2012 to 2013)(1), as regards the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities, the relevant State aid instruments, in particular the framework for State aid to research and development, as well as international rules in this area. In compliance with this international framework, the scale and form of financial participation will need to be considered on a case-by-case basis, in particular if funding from other public sector sources is available, including other sources of Union financing such as the European Investment Bank.

For participants in an indirect action pursued in a region lagging in development (convergence regions as defined in Article 5 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 of 11 July 2006 laying down general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the Cohesion Fund(2), including regions eligible for funding from the Structural Funds under the Convergence objective and regions eligible for funding from the Cohesion Fund, and outermost regions), complementary funding from the Structural Funds will be mobilised wherever possible and appropriate.

3. DIRECT ACTIONS — JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE

The Community will have activities implemented by the JRC, which are referred to as direct actions, in accordance with Council Decision 2012/95/Euratom of 19 December 2011 concerning the specific programme, to be carried out by means of direct actions by the Joint Research Centre, implementing the Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community for nuclear research and training activities (2012 to 2013)(3).

(1)

See page 1 of this Official Journal.

(2)

OJ L 210, 31.7.2006, p. 25.

(3)

See page 40 of this Official Journal.